Genetic analysis for canopy architecture in an F2:3 population derived from two-type foundation parents across multi-environments

• DOI: 10.1007/s10681-015-1401-8
• Publication Date: 2015-02-19T15:41:56Z
• Authors: Xianbin Hou; Yinghong Liu; Qianlin Xiao; Bin Wei; Xiangge Zhang; Yong Gu; Yongbin Wang; Jiang Chen; Yufeng Hu; Hanmei Liu; Junjie Zhang; Yubi Huang
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; 0303 health sciences; 03 medical and health sciences

Canopy architecture improvements are a major focus in modern maize (Zea mays L.) breeding because appropriate canopy architecture could allow for the adaptation to high-density planting and high utilisation efficiency of solar energy. Therefore, understanding the genetic basis of canopy architecture-related traits is important for maize breeding. In this study, an F2:3 population derived from a cross between R08 (representing a breeding pattern of lower planting density with large ears breeding pattern) × Ye478 (representing a breeding pattern of high planting density) was evaluated for nine canopy architecture-related traits in six environments, including Nanning, Ya’an, and Jinghong, in 2012 and 2013. Mixed linear model-based composite interval mapping was used to dissect the genetic basis of canopy architecture-related traits. Sixty-five quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified for all nine traits through a joint analysis across all environments. More than 80 % of the QTL in this study did not show significant QTL × environment interactions, but epistasis played an important role in architecture-related trait inheritance. Nine chromosome segments were identified that affected multiple canopy architecture-related traits.